We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) microparticles on soil physical-chemical properties, CO2 emissions, and microbial community in a two-year field trial
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a two-year field trial examining how high-density polyethylene microparticles at different concentrations affect soil properties, carbon dioxide emissions, and microbial communities. They measured changes in soil aggregate stability, chemical properties, and microbial diversity over time in treated versus control plots. The study provides field-scale evidence on how microplastic contamination influences soil health and function over extended periods.
Contamination by microplastics (MPs) is a serious problem affecting both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but despite the large number of papers published in recent years, the impact of microplastics (MPs) on soil is still debated. This work aims to evaluate the effects of different amounts (0, 1, 2 % v/v) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) microparticles (1-0.25 mm in size) on soil properties over time. Specifically, in a field plot experiment lasting about 2 years, treated and control soils were periodically sampled and analysed for their physical (aggregate stability and distribution), chemical (total N, soluble C and N, available P), and soil biochemical (basal respiration, microbial biomass C, enzyme activities, and fatty acid methyl ester - EL-FAME) properties. In addition, CO2 fluxes from soil to atmosphere were measured throughout the experiment. The physical and chemical parameters of the treated soils did not differ significantly from the control soil, whereas specific changes occurred in the biochemical characteristics during the experiment, particularly in the soil treated with the higher dose of MPs. In the early period (21 to 46 days after the treatment), some changes in the microbial community structure were observed for the soil treated with 2 % MPs, suggesting the occurrence of stress conditions for the microbial biomass, likely due to nutrient limitation. After 166 g from the start of the experiment, the 2 % MPs-treated soil showed, other than a lower CO2 flux than the control soil, a reduction of basal respiration together with an increase in actinomycetes and total fungi (both saprophytes and AMF). There was also an increase in C-related enzyme activities one year after treatment with MPs. These latter results suggest that the soil microbial community may be adapting to the new conditions and available energy substrates, which may also indicate the onset of HDPE degradation processes.
More Papers Like This
High‐density polyethylene microplastics in agricultural soil: Impact on microbes, enzymes, and carbon‐nitrogen ratio
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the impact of high-density polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations on agricultural soil over 60 days. The study found that microplastics caused non-uniform effects on microbial populations, reduced key enzyme activities through hydrogen bond formation with enzymes, and significantly altered the soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, suggesting potential long-term consequences for soil health.
Microplastic Impacts on Greenhouse Gases Emissions in Terrestrial Ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
A 90-day laboratory experiment tested how high-density and low-density polyethylene microplastics at 0-0.1% (w/w) soil concentrations affect greenhouse gas emissions from terrestrial soils. The study found that microplastic type and concentration influenced CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions differently, with implications for microplastic contributions to climate change.
Microplastics Can Inhibit Organic Carbon Mineralization by Influencing Soil Aggregate Distribution and Microbial Community Structure in Cultivated Soil: Evidence from a One-Year Pot Experiment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a one-year pot experiment to study how different types and concentrations of microplastics affect soil carbon cycling and aggregate stability. They found that microplastics significantly altered soil aggregate size distribution and decreased organic carbon mineralization rates regardless of polymer type. The study suggests that microplastic contamination may slow the natural breakdown of organic carbon in agricultural soils by changing soil structure and microbial communities.
Microplastic coupled with soil dissolved organic matter mediated changes in the soil chemical and microbial characteristics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a two-month incubation experiment to study how polyethylene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect soil carbon composition and microbial communities. They found that microplastics altered the dissolved organic matter in soil and shifted how microbial communities utilized carbon sources. The study suggests that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils may have cascading effects on soil health and nutrient cycling.
Polyethylene microplastics distinctly affect soil microbial community and carbon and nitrogen cycling during plant litter decomposition
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured how polyethylene microplastics affect soil microbial communities and carbon cycling in agricultural soils, finding that microplastic addition shifted microbial diversity and suppressed key carbon mineralization processes. The results suggest microplastic accumulation in farmland could impair soil carbon storage.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.